Safety razor blade sharpener



Nov. 28, 1933.

J. LEVINE SAFETY RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Filed July 12, 1932 INVENTOR JOSEPH LE VINE A TTORNE Patented Nov. 28, 1933 PATENT OFFICE SAFETY RAZGR BLADE SHARPENER Joseph Levine,

New York, N. Y.

Application July 12, 1932. Serial No. 622,081

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful in provements in a safety razor blade sharpener.

The invention has for an object the construction of an article as mentioned which is characterized.

5 by glass material formed into a semi-cylindrical container having a cover partially closing the top and extending from the rearedge and having a central bent-in portion for the thumb providing for the convenient holding of the device.

Furthermore, as another objectit is proposed to close the rear end of said semi-cylindrical container to serve as a reinforcement for adding rigidity.

Another one of the objects is the provision of corrugations upon the inner face of said cylindrical container to provide sharpening elements for the blade. 3

Furthermore, this invention proposes the provision of means for varying the degree of said corrugations to vary the sharpening qualities of said device.

Another one of the objectsof this invention is the construction of a device as mentioned which is'simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages .thereofgreference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part or" this disclosure: 7

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed. according tothis invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional viewtaken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The safety razor blade sharpener according to this invention comprises an integral mass of glass formed into a semi-cylindrical container 10 7 having a cover 11 partially closing the top there- 50- of and extending from the rear to a point midway to the front. Along the central longitudinal line of this cover there is formed a concaved portion 12 which constitutes a rest or grip for the thumb when the device is held in the hand. The cylindrical container is formed with a closed back 13 serving to give itgreater rigidity. The inner surface of the cylindrical container is formed with a plurality of corrugations 14 designed so as to facilitate the sharpening of the edges of the blade.

In Fig. 1, a blade 15 is shown resting within the cylindrical container and the arrows 16 indicate the direction of motion of the blade to obtain sharpening. The concaved portion 12 also serves as a guide topress a finger inserted within said container down against the blade to be sharpened. The top side of the finger will engage against the convexed inner side of the portion12 and so provide. pressure to bow the blade during its motion back and forth within the inner surface of the semi-cylindrical member. 7

In the way of an explanation it is pointed out that if the edges of the razor are bent straight the blade will be sharper and better able to cut the hair. The corrugations so bend the roughened edges of the blade during its motion back and forth within the cylindrical container. The blade must be tightlybowed against the insideof the container so that the edges are in tension against the corrugations. A smooth surface within the container would work, but it has been found that corrugated surfaces are more suited inthat the pressure against the edges of the blade isgreater;

In the form of the invention disclosed inFigs. Sand 4. the device comprises sheet material. in the form'of a semi-cylindrical portion 27, a par tially closed top 28 having a central longitudinal depressed portion 29 for the thumb and for guiding the finger which moves the blade over'thev inner surface of said semi-cylindrical container, and backicover 30. A sharpening element 31 which preferably should be made from glass is of the shape so as to fit snugly withinthe semi-cylindrical portion 27. The glass member 31 is formed with a plurality of corrugations 32 against which the edges of a blade may be pressed and moved as previously described to produce sharpening. A pair of springs 33 are attached upon the bottom of the partial cover 28 and engage against small receeses 34 formed in the edges of the glass member 31 for holding the glass member detachably in place. The arrangement allows for the withdrawal and substitution of the corrugated member.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a modification of the invention has been disclosed in which a means is provided for varying the degree of corrugations to vary the sharpening quality of the device and so best adapt it for particular blades or for the particular manner in which one moves the blade within the container. In detail this means comprises an outer shell 17 formed with a plurality of ribs 18 engaging through slots 19 in the cylindrical container. This outer shell is held against complete displacement by lug elements 20 projecting from the container and engaging the edges of the shell. The ribs 18 are of such height that normally with the shell extended they lay within the surfaces of the container, but when the shell is moved inwards they protrude.

A means is provided for locking the shell 17 in the extended position and comprises a shell 21 within the thumb bent portion 12 and which is connected with rods 22 extending through the container and provided with hooks 23 on the outer ends adapted to engage beneath the edges,

of the shell 17 when the shell 21 is depressed and so hold the shell 17 against moving inwards. Springs 2% normally urge the rods 22 into inoperative positions.

A blade may be sharpened in the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4 with the ribs 18 retracted or extended as desired. When used with the ribs 18 extended it is necessary that the shell 17 be pressed tightly against the outside of the cylindrical container and so held.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications corn ing within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United.

States Letters Patent ist- 1. A safety razor sharpener, comprising a semicylindrical container, a, partial cover on the top thereof extending from the rear and having a bent portion for the thumb, a closed back, corrugations within said container, and means for varying the degree of corrugations to vary the sharpening qualitiesof said device comprising a rib element adjustable on said container in a manner that said ribs may be projected from the corrugated surface.

2. A safety razor sharpener, comprising a semicylindrical container, a partial cover on the top thereof extending from the rear and having a bent portion for the thumb, a closed back, corrugations within said container, and means for varying the degree of corrugations to vary the sharpening qualities of said. device, comprising an outer shell with ribs extending into slots formed in said container, means for slidably holding said outer shell relative'to said container, and ineansfor locking the outer shell in an extended position.

3. A safety razor sharpener, comprising a semicylindrical container, a partial cover on the top thereof extending from the rear and having a bent portion for the thumb, a closed back, corrugations Within said container, and means for varying the degree of corrugations to vary the sharpening qualities of said device, comprising an outer shell with ribs extending into slots formed in said container, means for slidably holding said outer shell relative to said container, and means for locking the outer sh ll in an extended position, comprising a shell Within said thumb groove, rods projecting from said latter mentioned shelland extending through said container to the vicinity of the edges of said outer shell, and resilient means urging said rods into positions in which ihe outer shell is free.

4. In a safety razor blade sharpener, a semicylindrical container, a semi-cylindrical sharpening element engaging within said container and adapted to sharpen the edges of a safety razor blade when the blade is placed substantially longitudinal of the axis of said sharpening element and moved transversely back and forth against the inner surface thereof, a cover transversely across top edges of said semi-cylindrical container and having a central curved portion with a center of curvature substantially coinciding with the axis of said semi-cylindrical container for guiding the finger when moving the blade transversely, and a pair cf springs attached upon the bottom side of said cover, more particularly upon the straight portions thereof and engaging small recess in the edges of said semi-cylindrical sharp ner element to hold the latter element detachable in place.

, 5. In a safety razor blade sharpener, a semicylindrical. container, a semi-cylindrical sharpening element engaging within said container and adapted to sharpen the edges of a safety razor blade when the blade is placed substantially longitudinal of the axis of said sharpening element and moved transversely back and forth against the inner surface thereof, a cover transversely across the top edges of said semi-cylindrical container and having a central curved portion with a center of curvature substantially coinciding with the axis of said semi-cylindrical container for guiding the finger when moving the blade transversely, and a pair of springs attached upon the bottom side of said cover, more particularly upon the straight portions thereof and engaging small recess in the ed es of said semi-cylindrical sharpener element to hold the latter element detachable in place, said pair of springs being arranged in the longitudinal and engaging against the longitudinal edges of said semi-cylindrical sharpening element.

JOSEPH LEVINE. 

